Although animal science research is the major mandate of the institute, post-graduate teaching and training are an integral part from early times. As early as in the year 1900, training was imparted to field veterinarians on the general principles of therapeutics, and to civil and army personnel in comparative pathology, bacteriology and microbiology. These were later replaced by a number of refresher courses for personnel in the veterinary profession. The Institute started awarding Diplomas for the Associateship of IVRI in 1943 as a part of post-graduate teaching programme. Associateship was considered equivalent to M.V.Sc./M.Sc. for recruitment to higher posts. National Diploma courses in Animal Husbandary, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Poultry Husbandry, Animal Reproduction, Biological Products and Equine Husbandry were subsequently introduced. Research scholars have been working for their Master's, Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees in various disciplines of animal health, production and technology since 1937. At the Institute, large number of foreign students are enrolled for PG studies especially from developing countries.

Scholars from different countries also undertake various short and long-term training programmes, diploma and degree programmes. Besides the above courses, the Institute also arranges various short-term training programmes, staff courses and summer institutes to make the professional workers familiar with latest developments in veterinary and animal sciences from time to time.

The urgency of extending facilities for post-graduate education to meet the country's demand of trained and technical personnel for Veterinary Colleges and Livestock Research Stations was emphasized by the Joint Indo-American Team in 1955. The need for intensifying post-graduate education was also felt for filling up a large number of posts created for the development of livestock industry during the Five Year Plans. With the establishment of post-graduate College of Animal Science in 1958, it was possible to produce highly qualified scientists from this Institute. There has been a significant diversification of veterinary and animal sciences education keeping pace with the rapid development in science and technology. The Ministry of Education, Govt. of India on the recommendation of University Grants Commission conferred the status of the Deemed to be University on 16th November, 1983 under Section 3 of UGC Act (1956). The first academic session started on 15th January, 1984.
These details are retrieved from ivri.nic.in